Garden Route: 3-Day Safari, Cango Caves & Bloukrans Bridge

Summary

Fast-paced Garden Route trip with caves safari & river paddle

You’ll cover wild distances on this Garden Route tour from Cape Town: watching daredevils at Bloukrans Bridge, wandering deep inside Cango Caves, paddling rivers with birds overhead, and tracking wildlife on a real game drive safari—all with a local guide and hotel pickup included. There’s not much downtime but plenty of moments that stick with you after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t think I’d feel nervous just watching someone else jump off Bloukrans Bridge, but there I was—palms sweaty, heart thumping, trying to look casual as a stranger zipped out onto the platform. Our group had already spent hours winding along the Garden Route from Cape Town (that first stretch is long, bring snacks), and somehow this bungee spot felt like the trip’s heartbeat. Some of us joked about jumping; most of us just watched in awe. The air smelled sharp—almost metallic—up there, and you could hear the river way down below if you listened past the laughter.

Our guide, Sipho, had that dry humor you only get from running these tours a hundred times. He pointed out weird facts about ostriches near Oudtshoorn (“they’re faster than they look—don’t race them”) and led us into the Cango Caves where it got cool and echoey fast. The rock felt slick under my hand. At one point he switched off his flashlight for a minute—total darkness—and someone’s phone buzzed in their pocket, which broke the spell but made us all laugh. That night in Oudtshoorn I sat outside with a beer listening to distant frogs. Not glamorous but honestly kind of perfect.

The next day we paddled canoes through Wilderness—no skills needed, thank god—and drifted under trees so thick they blocked out half the sky. Birds everywhere; I kept trying to name them but gave up and just floated along. Lunch was quick (sandwiches at some roadside place), but later we walked along Sedgefield beach at sunset and my shoes filled with sand almost immediately. Worth it for that pink-orange sky though.

The last morning was all about the safari drive at Botlierskop Game Reserve. I’d never seen rhinos up close before—they move slower than you’d think but somehow still seem like they own the place. Our ranger knew every animal by sight and even found fresh lion tracks in the dust (I tried not to imagine how close they were). After that it was back in the van for one more long drive to Cape Town—everyone quieter this time, maybe tired or just letting it all sink in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive Cape Town to Oudtshoorn

• Pickup from Cape Town accommodation
• Drive along scenic Route 62
• Visit Cango Caves tour
• Evening at leisure in Oudtshoorn

Day 2 — Oudtshoorn to Sedgefield

• Check out from Oudtshoorn accommodation
• Optional elephant observation experience
• Drive along Route 62
• Canoe on calm river in Wilderness
• Scenic coastal drive past Knysna and Plettenberg Bay
• Optional bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge
• Arrive and check in at Sedgefield accommodation
• Evening at leisure by the beach

Day 3 — Sedgefield to Cape Town with Safari

• Check out from Sedgefield accommodation
• 2-hour 4x4 game drive safari
• Drive back to Cape Town
• Tour concludes upon arrival in Cape Town

Top questions

How long is the drive each day on this Garden Route tour?

You’ll spend about 4 to 6 hours driving daily, covering around 1200 km total over three days.

Is hotel pickup included from Cape Town?

Yes, pickup is included within a 10km radius of central Cape Town or Stellenbosch town.

Do I need experience to paddle on the river canoe ride?

No experience is needed; it’s an easy canoe ride guided by a local along calm waters.

Are meals included during this tour?

Breakfasts are included at your accommodation; lunch and dinner are not but your guide can recommend places or help arrange meals.

Can I do the bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge?

The bungee jump is optional and paid separately on tour; space is pre-booked so you can decide on day one if you want to do it.

What wildlife can I see on the safari drive?

You may see elephants, rhinos, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelope and more during the 4x4 game drive at Botlierskop Game Reserve.

Is accommodation included each night?

Yes, two nights’ accommodation with breakfast are included; options vary from backpacker dorms to 4-star guesthouses depending on your package.

Is this Garden Route tour suitable for kids?

The minimum age is 8 years old; children must be accompanied by an adult and cannot stay in dorm rooms.

What’s included

Your three days include hotel pickup within central Cape Town or Stellenbosch area, transfers by minivan (expect several hours driving daily), two nights’ accommodation with breakfast each morning based on your selected package type, entry fees for Cango Caves exploration and a guided canoe trip in Wilderness region shared with your group. You’ll also join an included group game drive safari at Botlierskop Reserve led by a knowledgeable ranger before returning to your original pickup point in Cape Town.